No loss of face over office of profit bill

The issue did not figure in the Union Cabinet meeting.

NEW DELHI: The UPA government has decided not to adopt a confrontational approach on the Prevention of Disqualification Amendment Bill which was returned by the President to Parliament.

The Bill will only be taken up in the monsoon session of Parliament. Indicative of the low key approach to the issue was the fact that contrary to expectations the issue did not figure at the meeting of the Union Cabinet on Friday evening. "It was not even on the agenda," said I&B Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi.

The Government's approach has come about after informal consultations within the ruling alliance on the issue.

"If the Bill is changed then the President can send it back, but if it is sent back as it is then under the Constitution he will have to sign it," says Supreme Court lawyer and congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi.

Despite the initial embarrassment, the Government's decision not to join issue with the President is in line with the position adopted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Saner heads in the government and the ruling alliance are of the view that the government must display the sagacity and wisdom that is needed in dealing with the issue.

"The President is well within his rights to send back the Bill. Similarly parliament is empowered to examine what he has said and then send the Bill back without any changes. This is no way would mean any disrespect to him," says a senior Congress minister in the government.